Blitz and Outside the Huddle are counting down who they feel are the top 50 individual players in northeast Indiana heading into the 2023 season.
Today, we enter the top 20.
No. 20: RB Nate Starks, junior, Carroll
Out of all the running backs in the area, Starks most exemplifies the roles of a modern-day back in the NFL.
Starks is a weapon that the Chargers can utilize in a variety of spots and situations – safety blanket for QB Jimmy Sullivan both as a rusher and a receiver.
Small but agile and quick, Starks rushed for over 1,100 yards and seven touchdowns a season ago, three times rushing for 100+ yards in a game. But he was also fourth on the team in receptions with 22 catches for 218 yards and a score.
There will be other players that will carry some of the rushing load for Carroll with the top four runners by yards back, but Starks stands out as a unique offensive weapon.
COACH’S QUOTE ON NATE STARKS:“Nate Starks is a high character individual who plays with great passion for his teammates and the game. Nate will be a junior and rushed for over 1,000 yards in his sophomore season.” – Carroll coach Doug Dinan
No. 19: TE/DE Trevor Currie, senior, Adams Central
When it comes to physical specimens, Currie may be the most impressive in the entire ACAC.
At the very least, Currie is the best all-around athlete on Adams Central. At 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds he is big and long enough to beat offensive linemen on the edge and a big target in the passing game.
With hints that the Flying Jets could sling the ball around a little more than the past, Currie could double his numbers of a year ago offensively where he hauled in 17 receptions for 398 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Currie also handles all of the kicking duties for a team aiming to return to the Class 1A state title game for the third consecutive year.
COACH’S QUOTE ON TREVOR CURRIE:“Trevor is very versatile and athletic – probably the best overall athlete on the team. He does it all – offense, defense and all the kicking on special teams. We plan to air it out a bit more this year and he is the reason why. He has great hands and knows how to get open. We are looking forward to watching him develop even more as the season progresses.” – Adams Central coach Michael Mosser
No. 18: T/DT Zack Leighty, senior, East Noble
Leighty is a big human. Collegiate football programs have taken notice of the 6-2, 270-pound senior that anchors the East Noble offensive front with some spot play on defense.
What makes Leighty one of the top linemen in the area? In a word – experience. He is the only four-year starter for the Knights in Coach Luke Amstutz’s tenure in Kendallville and each season he develops into more and more of a dominant player. The mixture of bulk and quick feet make Leighty a problem to shake off along the offensive front. He is also adept in the interior on defense, posting 13 tackles and a TFL in 2022.
COACH’S QUOTE ON ZACK LEIGHTY:“Zack has been such a great player for us. We are really looking forward to him stepping up and having an incredible senior season.” – East Noble coach Luke Amstutz
No. 17: LB Justin Anderson, senior, Carroll
The 2022 edition of the Carroll defense had players at all three levels – something that will be seen in 2023 as well.
The top talent at the second level is Anderson, who is a three-year starter entering his senior campaign. Fast and strong with the ability to get off blocks and finish hits, Anderson is the complete package at outside ‘backer.
Anderson’s ability to bring the threat from the edge, slip outside to cover a receiver or just drop back and wait for a play to develop are all tremendous assets. Last year, he accounted for 41 tackles, five TFL, a pair of INTs and a sack.
COACH’S QUOTE ON JUSTIN ANDERSON:“Justin is a senior outside linebacker that will have started three years. He is very talented and defends the run and pass equally well.” – Carroll coach Doug Dinan
No. 16: QB Owen Wanner, senior, South Adams
South Adams has had a recent history of players who can sling the ball around the field, and Wanner is the latest example.
Fresh off a junior campaign in which he threw for 2,230 yards and 30 touchdowns, Wanner enters the 2023 campaign as one of the top signalcallers in the area.
His propensity to play better the bigger the moment is an invaluable trait. Pressure gets some to fold, but not Wanner. He thrives on it.
There are not many throws that Wanner can’t make, and his ability to move out of the pocket and pick up yardage with his legs makes him even more dangerous.
COACH’S QUOTE ON OWEN WANNER:“Owen is one of the best QBs in northeast Indiana. He can beat you with his arm and his legs. He is a great leader as well and likes the pressure. We expect big things from him this season.” – South Adams coach Grant Moser
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